Showing posts with label sunday meditation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sunday meditation. Show all posts

Sunday, July 20, 2014

A church is just a church right?

Memories at Trinity Lutheran Church...


Emmalyn's baptism - 2012 (Pastor ?)
Samuel's baptism - 2008 (Pastor Kasting)
Madelyn's baptism - 2003 (Pastor Kasting)
Christian's baptism - 2001 (Pastor Kasting)
My baptism - 2001 (Pastor Kasting)
Married - 1999  (Pastor Kasting)
Dane's baptism- 1976 (Pastor Ruthenbeck)

I have a lot of memories at TLC, but memories aren't the only thing that I hold dear. A church is not made up of bricks and mortar but of other worshipers. The Christians at our church have a genuine love for Christ and show that in many ways. Their greetings to one another, their attention drawn to the pastor's words, their voices praising in song, and their actions to share with insiders and outsiders.

I recently decided to judge our church. To do so, I needed a comparison. While visiting another, only myself and another time with Emma and I. Judged the content of the Word and the people hearing it. I listened with open ears but held true to my known faith. And looked around at the worshipers to search the tenor and faith. The reaction to my child showed me how accepting and tolerant they are of others. No, I was not going to send my child downstairs for Sunday school at a new church while I worshiped with the "grown-ups". 

Jesus loved little children because of how pure their faith was. They have no filter and say what's on their mind! They have yet to encounter all the bitterness of this world and can see things unmasked by the Holy Spirit.

My children are good judges of people and can tell if they are warm and inviting then jump in without concern. This is why I love TLC! My children feel at home smiling at people, they don't hold back and are themselves,  excited to be there and are not afraid.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

I'm worn




"Worn"

I’m Tired I’m worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes
To keep on breathing
I’ve made mistakes
I’ve let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world

And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

I know I need to lift my eyes up
But I'm too weak
Life just won’t let up
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

My prayers are wearing thin
Yeah, I’m worn
Even before the day begins
Yeah, I’m worn
I’ve lost my will to fight
I’m worn
So, heaven come and flood my eyes

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause all that’s dead inside will be reborn

Though I’m worn
Yeah I’m worn

-Tenth Avenue North 

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Daniel in the lions den / The hallways of highschool

This is one of my favorite stories in the bible. I love how God had turned the plan of corrupted men upside down! I can't tell you how many times I've felt like Daniel praying to God to deliver me!

No one outsmarts God! The enemies of Daniel thought they were so smart. They thoughtfully planned and executed a flawless deception and plan. Yet in the end even though everything had gone according to their plan, they did not have the victory they had foreseen.

HA TAKE THAT!

Ever feel like your're in the lions den?

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Lifehouse Everything Skit

Every so often I watch this video. Shows that Jesus is always fighting for me! 


Monday, June 22, 2009

I cast all of my cares upon you


Cares Chorus by Kelly Willard
I cast all my cares upon You,
I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet.
And any time I don't know just what to do,
I will cast all my cares upon You.
This is my favorite church hymn. Makes me cry every time I hear it. I break down when I realize that the only thing I have to do to feel better in life, is to just give myself, and my sins to Jesus.
What is your favorite hymn?

Sunday, January 11, 2009

lifehouse-everything skit


For this sunday I though I'd post a vidoe I hadn't watched in a long time. Every time I watch this it send chills down my spine. Jesus is awsome.. always with us, always feeling our joys and sorrows! Thank you lord for being with me through the good and bad! And thank you for saving my very soul!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Praise

Today's sermon was about how Christians need encouragement from time to time to keep their faith alive. Whether they're a Sunday school teacher who needs a pat on the back to tell them that their doing a good job, or by keeping your commitment to the choir director by showing up to choir practice every Wednesday night.
So here is my encouragement to all of you who read my blog.
Dane - Thank you for going to your job everyday so that I may stay home and raise our kids! I could go to work and put our kids in daycare..but you know how much it means to our kids to have me at home with them everyday!
Brother in-law Kim - Your such an awesome Dad your kids look up to you and love you so much! And you so inventive and creative...check out Kim's blog on making an airplane!

Sister in-law Kari - You amaze me that you are taking such a huge role in your kids education, deciding to keep them at home with an online school and mentor them everyday! That takes an awful lot of patients!

Sister in-law Tani - Your kids are growing up to be great independent people! You have taught them through example how to live in a Christian way! Your walk with God inspires me! You are the nicest person I know! You always have open hear and ears to listen! Thank You!

Janice (mother in-law) You are like the energizer bunny you can go, go, go! And you live for others happiness, especially your grand kids! I don't know how you get everything done...but you do it with such grace! You always have a smile on your face that brightens my day!

Wayne (Father in Law) I know if you could have it your way you would be living in Easter Oregon living up your retirement. But instead you put up with the rest of us! All the grand kids look up to you and admire you! And your really great at reading to the grand kids and rocking them to sleep!

Brother Chris & wife Jenn- You both had a ruff start and I'm very proud of you both that for the sake of the kids, your pulling things together to give them the healthy family they need!

Mom - I really appreciate all you do for me and my family. You mean so much to me! Not only do you help me with the kids, but you are always someone that I can call and feel better after talking with you!
Sasha- Your thousands of miles away! And you are very missed! I can't wait to be close again! You are my favorite sister! I love you so much!
Dad- I miss you as well, and can't wait to see you! I would love for you to be more apart of my life! Miss and love you so much!
Grandma Lloyd - Thank you for the advice you always give to me, I know that it comes from someone who is very wise and has lived a christian life.
Grandpa Lloyd- Thank you for always making me laugh. But ha! I know you didn't loose that finger from picking your nose :)

Cousin Nat - Thank you for helping me and encouraging me to start and continue this blog, it has been very enlightening to me! Also, congratulations at being a mom of 3 now, it can be very challenging at times as you know by now.. and no it does not get easier (at least it hasn't for me) but you are now blessed x3! And have a new photo subject! He is so cute!
Cousin Nicole - You're career and projects are not just taking off they are soaring! Seeing what you have accomplished is very inspiring! Keep up the good work!
Cousin Dee-Dee - Being a new mother is very magical time! Although the changes can be difficult it is all worth it when you look at his beautiful face! He is sooo cute!
Cousin Mary - Your new baby is so cute! And her big sister looks like she adores her! You are very blessed! And can't wait to hear more from you! I'm so glad I found your blog!
Aunt Nancy - Your family and your life is very inspiring to me! You battled breast cancer and won, and your boys are accomplished athletes and scouts! I love how your family always does everything together! Even climb mountains!
Aunt Linda - You did an awesome job at raising you kids! Just reading their blogs everyday must make you very proud! Thank you for your words of encouragement and suggestions on improving my skills at being a stay at home mom.
Aunt Patty- You are living your dreams right now, which you deserve so much! You had a ruff go at the start of your life..and look at what you have become! Your a gifted artist, have owned your own art studio and now your yachting around the Caribbean! How cool is that! I love reading your blog! It's soo exciting!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Points


This Sundays sermon was about how one gets into heaven. It went something like this:
The story is told of the lifelong Presbyterian who died and, upon arrival at the Pearly Gates, encountered St. Peter who said to him: "Listen, this is how it works. You need 100 points to get into heaven. You tell me about your life; I will give you a certain number of points for each incident, depending on how good it was, and when you reach 100 points, you're in."
"Okay," says the man with a certain relish. "I was married to the same woman for sixty years and never cheated on her, not even in my heart."
"Wonderful," says Peter, "three points."
"Three points? Well, I attended church all of my life, rarely missed a Sunday, tithed, was a Deacon, Trustee and Elder, and taught Sunday school--even Junior High Confirmation Class!"
"Terrific," says Peter, "one point."
"One point?" Okay, remember that meal for seniors that I not only helped begin, but continued to work at until my dying day?"
"Excellent," says Peter, "one point."
"Well, what about the homeless ministry I started and supported, not only with my money and by serving meals, but by actually staying over all night about once a month?"
"Fantastic," says Peter, "two more points."
"Two points? That's only seven points. At this rate, I'll never make it, save the grace and mercy of God."
"Bingo," says Peter, "100 points, come on in!"14
It's about humbly accepting the grace and mercy of God. The Pharisee stood before God in arrogance and pride, trusting in his work and demeaning others by comparison, and missed the reason for the law in the first place--lifesaving communion with God. The Tax collector stood before God in humility--knowing and declaring who he was, calling on God to be who God is--and found God's readiness to redeem and be reconciled. That is the power of humility.
My conclusion - it's not works that get you into heaven it's by knowing and believing in Jesus Christ that warrants us to be in his presence for all of eternity! See you there!